Matsumoto Castle

When you see one castle in Japan it seems like you've seen them all. But this is not true for Matsumoto Castle. Unlike Osaka Castle, the interior of Matsumoto Castle was preserved in all its history. The high steps leading up to the top floor and into the hidden floors are as it were, so you can experience what it was like to be a soldier climbing the steps at those times. Matsumoto Castle has seven floors, two of which are hidden. Within those floors are glass cases of the kinds of armor and weapons they used for war. Once you reach the top, you get a glimpse of the view of Matsumoto.
The garden area around the castle can now be used for many occasions. We had the privilege of witnessing a tea ceremony during our visit. Had we stayed well into the evening, we would have even been part of the moon viewing ceremony.
On the outskirts of the castle, but well within the castle grounds, there's a museum for tourists to see more of what they used during those times. There's also a diorama of the castle grounds so you can get a bird's eye view of the place.